Lonnie Franklin Jr., the man authorities allege is the Grim Sleeper serial killer, was arrested 15 times over the years for crimes including car theft, burglary and assault.

But because his crimes were adjudicated before a 2004 law requiring California felons to submit to DNA testing, his genetic record was not on file, and he was free to allegedly kill again, according to ABC7.

In fact , two months after he was released from a prison stint for receiving stolen property, the body of one of the 11 victims tied to the Grim Sleeper was found. Despite receiving a three-year sentence, Franklin was out in less than a year.

Franklin was arrested last week after authorities claimed to have tied familial DNA — that of his son — to evidence in the Grim Sleeper case. He was charged with 10 counts of homicide.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.